INDIANAPOLIS – Four months after the finale of “The Ultimate Fighter 17,” cast member Zak Cummings finally got his chance in the octagon, and the 29-year-old made the most of the opportunity.

Cummings stifled “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes” cast member Ben Alloway and scored a slick submission win in the final minute of the opening round.

The welterweight bout was part of today’s UFC Fight Night 27 event at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. It streamed on Facebook ahead of additional prelims on FOX Sports 2 and a main card on FOX Sports 1.

The bout was a gritty grapple fest to open, as the pair battled against the cage to secure dominant positioning. Cummings finally brought the fight to the floor late in the frame, and the effort would pay off.

Alloway briefly teased a guillotine, but Cummings pulled his head free and abandoned a chance to seure his opponent’s back in favor of moving to a headlock position. He immediately adjusted his grip into a D’Arce choke attempt and squeezed tight on the hold. Trapped, Alloway was forced to tap with 41 seconds left in the opening frame.

Fighting for the first time at 170 pounds, Cummings said his long-awaited UFC debut was just a sign of things to come.

It felt amazing,” Cummings said after the win. “All the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears – it’s been a very long time. I’m here to stay.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.